Is this real? Computer error #26803

[sagesnow]

Message coming up on one of our small Chrome books that Windows has Suspicious Activity! Call Microsoft at [phone].
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Please call us immediately at [phone]



Is this a fishing scam or what. It seems to have locked the computer unless we call that number within 5 minutes. Does Microsoft do this?

[marylandblue]

1. Not real ignore it

[marylandblue]

2. safest thing to do is close your browser with task.manager

[SamKnause]

3. I think it is a scam.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. The same number is apparently being used for an IRS scam.

http://findwhocallsyou.com/1-844-441-1440

[itsrobert]

5. Scam

Microsoft doesn't have anything to do with Chromebooks.

[itsrobert]

6. Flood them with robocalls

http://www.my9nj.com/fox-content-hub/264759384-story

[Earth Bound Misfit]

13. Love this story.

I saw it here: http://www.boredpanda.com/programmer-writes-script-against-scammers/

[Worktodo]

7. Total scam

[shraby]

8. Mr. Shraby got something similar to that on his pc. I restored to an earlier date and that fixed it.

Had to run malwarebytes and Microsoft defender then restored to an earlier date.
It's been gone. It popped up in his email. He didn't open it.

[sagesnow]

9. Thanks everybody.

I rebooted it and so far it's ok.

[Binkie The Clown]

10. Totally bogus. Close the window. Run away.

Use CTL-ALT-DEL to bring up the task manager. Then cancel the browser application.

[teach1st]

11. Chromebook Powerwash

My mother had the same problem with her Chromebook. Rebooting worked for a while, but it did reappear.

If it does come back, try a powerwash. The cool think about Chromebook is that once you sign into your powerwashed computer, all of your settings and shortcuts are there.

How to do a powerwash: https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-chromebook

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183084?hl=en

[Best_man23]

12. If you perform powerwash or other reset

Be sure to go back and download updates.

[sagesnow]

14. Thanks again

Teach1st and Best man23. Good to know this.